2023 Home Decor Trends, Bold Design Choices, and Budget-Friendly Bathroom Transformations

Begin with an introduction to the home decor trends of 2023. Dive into the year's design trends, from fringed details to bold marbles. Learn how to embrace vintage and biophilic elements in your decor. Explore bold design choices and the rising Barbiecore trend. Get a comprehensive guide to choosing the perfect blackout curtains for any room. Discover how to transform a bathroom with a $1,500 budget. Conclude with budget-friendly decor advice and a summary of the episode’s key points.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Hello, everyone!
Welcome back to another episode of DailyInterior Design Inspo.
I am your host, Betsy Helmuth, and today we arediving into the biggest home decor trends we
have seen so far in 2023.
Whether you are looking to refresh your spaceor just curious about what is hot in the world
of interior design, I have got you covered.

(00:22):
So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let usget started!
With summer coming to a close, that means justone thing for design enthusiasts everywhere: It
is time to take stock of the trends interiordesigners have seen taking over their projects
this year.
I tapped into the expertise of seven differentdesign experts to weigh in on the design trends

(00:48):
and interior design styles clients seem to bedoubling down on, and why they appreciate each
of these approaches.
First up, we have fringed details.
Fringe is playful and full of fun, and it isbeen having a major moment this year, according
to designer Alida Coury, the founder of AlidaCoury Interiors.

(01:11):
'I am a texture girl, so this extra layer ofdesign is a fun way to elevate a piece and even
put a twist on something that was leaningtoward modernity,' the Hinsdale, Illinois-based
designer says.
So, if you are looking to add a touch of whimsyto your space, fringe might just be the way to
go.

(01:31):
Next, let us talk about saturated colors.
This year has brought with it a greater use ofsaturated hues, according to Coury.
'I have always loved color because it is such afeast for the eyes,' she notes.
'For my clients who are timid, I infuse colorin less daring ways — hanging colorful artwork

(01:53):
or adding a burst of color through pillows,accessories, a piece of furniture, or even an
area rug.' So, if you are not ready to paintyour walls a bold color, there are still plenty
of ways to incorporate this trend into yourhome.
Another trend that has been gaining traction isrestorative touches.

(02:15):
Designer Blanche Garcia has noticed anincreased desire among clients looking to
embrace what she calls a 'high-vibe maincharacter life' at home.
'All indicators are pointing toward peopleworking and spending more time at home and
really wanting their space to feel asrestorative as possible, while also creating

(02:35):
the perfect backdrop to manifesting their verybest life,' says the Montclair, New
Jersey-based founder of B-garcia Designs.
Garcia looks to incorporate what she calls 'agrounding and empowering color story'
throughout the home, with neutrals and pops ofearthy reds, purples, and greens.

(02:56):
In her opinion, crystals are key toaccessorizing a restorative retreat.
'We are seeing crystals implemented in so manydifferent ways within a home, and we love the
nontraditional applications that we are seeing,like creating multi-dimensional wall art,' she
shares.
Custom furniture is also on the rise.

(03:20):
Isabella Patrick, a New York City designer andthe founder of Isabella Patrick Interiors, has
noticed an increased demand for custom touchesthroughout the home, particularly as they
pertain to furniture.
'Clients are understanding the benefits andvalue of investing in custom designed case
goods in order to maximize storage and to havetruly unique pieces,' she says.

(03:45):
'When you custom design, you will never walkinto a friend’s house and see the same coffee
table or dresser.' So, if you are looking tomake your home truly one-of-a-kind, custom
furniture might be the way to go.
Performance fabrics have also been gainingpopularity.
Designer Margie Kaercher, the founder of Hearthand Honey Homes in Tampa, Florida, used to

(04:09):
steer clients with kids and pets away fromwhite sofas, but more advanced performance
textiles have grown in popularity and look justas good as their more traditional (but often
less durable) counterparts.
'The specially treated fabrics have endlesscolor and material options and are completely

(04:30):
resistant to spills and stains,' she says.
'In the case of any accidents, the cleaningprocess is much easier and faster than your
standard non-performance fabrics — which isgreat, because ain’t nobody got time for that!'
Bold marbles are making a statement inkitchens, bathrooms, and on many other surfaces

(04:50):
this year.
McCall Dulkys, the founder of Interiors byMcCall in Palm Beach, Florida, says she has
witnessed bold marbles used in a variety ofspaces.
'It is such an exciting time, as I have noticedclients have started really stepping out of the
box when it comes to their kitchen and bathroomcountertops,' she says.

(05:12):
'We have been taking risks and selecting boldnatural stones, and our clients have been
totally on board.' Coury agrees, adding,'Clients are more savvy as to how stone
elevates a space.' She is seeing them begin toexplore stone furniture and dialing up
fireplaces, backsplashes, and more.

(05:33):
Sizable kitchen islands are also trending.
Not only are kitchen islands becoming morestylish — think fluting, major veining, and
contrast trim — but they are also gettingbigger in many cases.
Designer Deborah Pianin, the founder of DeborahPianin Interiors in Stamford, Connecticut, has
found that her clients are investing more intheir islands than before.

(05:59):
'Home entertaining has been at the forefront ofhomeowners’ minds since the pandemic,' she
says.
'The size and material used for an island wasalways a priority; however, more importance has
been placed on island seating.
Gone are the days when uncomfortable, backlesscounter stools were tucked under overhangs out

(06:20):
of sight.
Clients are now opting for stylish, cushyseating that appeals just as much to guests as
their kitchen chair counterparts.'
Vintage pieces have been majorly en vogue thisyear.
'It is the best way to be earth-conscious, andI love that revamping a vintage piece can give

(06:40):
a nod to a previous design period with a freshapproach,' Coury says.
So, if you are looking to add some character toyour home, consider hunting for some vintage
treasures.
Natural touches are also making waves.
Kaercher has noticed a stronger pull towardnatural materials and biophilic design this

(07:01):
year.
'Feeling connected to nature is important tomost people in order to feel calm, grounded,
and peaceful,' she says.
'It is not a trend that will be going anywhereanytime soon.
Whether it is wood, stone, plaster, wool, jute,plants, or other natural materials,
incorporating these elements has a way ofbringing the outdoors in and evoking a sense of

(07:26):
tranquility and serenity.'
Floral wallcoverings are another trend we areseeing.
Coury has noticed an influx of wallpaper withfloral and botanical prints.
'This pattern style is giving the design worldsome seriously gorgeous moments,' she says.
'The modern take on this style mixed in withtransitional or traditional elements creates

(07:50):
more curated spaces.'
Organic shapes are popping up all throughoutthe home.
'Much like the use of natural materials, thereis something about organic shapes that feels
perfectly imperfect and creates a sense offreedom and movement in your space,' Kaercher
says.
'We are seeing a lot of this in furniture,lighting, mirrors, pillows, and decor.'

(08:15):
Funkier choices are also having their moment.
Kaercher appreciates that clients have beenmore willing to think outside the box and go
bold lately.
'Ever since the pandemic and spending more timein our homes, people have really stepped out of
their neutral boxes and into the world of colorand fun(k),' she notes.

(08:37):
'Whether it is pops of color, color blocks, oran entire colorful room, I love to see it.'
Finally, let us talk about Barbicore.
In the wake of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie,2023 has been all about rethinking pink in
fashion, beauty, and even the home.
This shade had waned in popularity for a bit,with millennial pink giving way to shades like

(09:03):
Gen Z yellow, pale terracottas, sage greens,and lavenders over the past few years.
The interest in Barbiecore, however, reignitedplenty of people’s passion for pink, and if you
have been partial to this shade from theget-go, the design duo of Maria Brasil
Arquitetura thinks now is the time to embraceit in the home.

(09:25):
Hue and tone are key for longevity, though,when it comes to pink; that may mean selecting
blush over, say, pepto pink or neon raspberry(unless bold, saturated colors truly speak to
you).
'One of the reasons this kitchen is timeless isthe harmonious, pleasant, cozy, creative, and

(09:45):
charming tone combined with the classiclanguage of Ornare’s Paris line in shades of
light pink that refers to past styles withcontemporary reinterpretation,' says Maria
Brasil Arquitetura of the cook space shownhere.

Blackout curtains (10:01):
Some love them, some hate them.
However, if you cannot get enough sleep, have ahefty electricity bill because of drafty
windows, or prefer your room on the darkerside, blackout curtains could be your new best
friend forever.
They serve a variety of purposes, from blockingout unwanted light to insulating the

(10:25):
temperature in your space.
They also just might help you cut down on thosesleepless nights and gain some energy back.
If you are gone during the day and would prefernot to walk into a home that feels like it has
been slow roasting for eight hours, blackoutcurtains keep your home cooler during the
warmer months by keeping out rays and holdingin air-conditioned air.

(10:51):
Another huge plus, which cannot necessarily besaid for other highly functional home
essentials, is that blackout curtains can actas decor statements, adding to a room’s design
rather than taking away from it.
We are big fans, so we put a range of blackoutcurtains to the test to find the best of the

(11:11):
best.

Best Overall (11:13):
Sun Zero Nordic Theater-Grade Extreme 100% Blackout Curtains.
Forget draping big, dark curtains just for thesake of blocking light — SunZero’s Nordic
Theater-Grade Blackout Curtains allow you tokeep the integrity of your space’s indoor
lighting and decor scheme.

(11:33):
They effectively block light no matter whichcolor you choose – even pearl white — and trust
us, there are plenty of shades to pick from.
The all-polyester curtains are available in 22colors and seven lengths, making them a solid
choice for windows of all sizes.
Make no mistake, these are 100% blackoutcurtains with a black backing that absorbs

(11:58):
light and will make your living room or bedroomthe perfect setting for movie night or restful
sleep.

Best Budget-Friendly (12:04):
SUN+BLK 100% Recycled Total Blackout Curtains.
Our budget-friendly pick, SUN+BLK 100% RecycledTotal Blackout Curtains, is the real deal when
it comes to achieving total blackout in anyroom without breaking the bank.
In testing, Apartment Therapy contributorKendall was so impressed by their ability to

(12:28):
block natural light that she even draped apanel directly over a forcefully bright
spotlight, the bulb of which should not belooked at with the naked eye, and there was not
even a sparkle detectable behind it.
These are not any heavier than your averagecurtain — in fact, they may even be lighter
weight — nor do they have that unappealingplasticky look or feel typical of inexpensive

(12:52):
curtains.
On the contrary, they are among the mostattractive blackout curtains we tried.

Best Luxury (13:00):
West Elm Worn Velvet Blackout Curtains.
Drafty windows are the enemy of anyone wholoves a warm, cozy space in the winter.
And if you invest in central heating, they canalso be the enemy of your bank account.
Whether or not you simply get chilly when yousleep, West Elm’s Worn Velvet Blackout Curtains

(13:22):
are a saving grace during cold weather.
These brushed, low-pile velvet curtains havepleated rod pocket headings that give them a
strikingly luxe appearance while allowing themto block heat from escaping.
After testing for a month in New York City’swinter, Kendall noticed that her space was
significantly warmer without increasing theheat output.

Best Darkening (13:46):
Aurora Home Thermal Insulated Blackout Grommet Top Curtains.
The bestselling Aurora Home Thermal InsulatedBlackout Curtains offer an elegant pop of color
in five shades from beige to blue.
At $45 (or less, if they are on sale), you cansnag a two-piece set of these energy-saving

(14:09):
curtains that come with coordinating tiebacksfor an instant decor upgrade.
They are durable, machine washable, and easy toinstall.
Plus, they will assist with preserving thetemperature of your indoor space, which means
you can rely less on cooling or heat and keepyour energy bill from rising.

Best Insulating (14:29):
West Elm Crossweave Blackout Curtains.
When it comes to blackout curtains, West Elmnot only has ultra-stylish options but highly
effective ones as well.
The Crossweave Blackout Curtains, which can bepurchased individually or as a pair, are just
one tried-and-true example.

(14:50):
Available in four neutral colors, the blackoutcurtains sport a subtle woven texture and have
a sewn-in blackout lining.
While the brand recommends the curtains fornurseries and bright bedrooms, they can also
work in any room to tone down outside light andsound.

Best Noise-Reducing (15:08):
Pottery Barn Peace & Quiet Noise Reducing Blackout Curtain.
If you are a highly sensitive sleeper and waketo even slight sounds or visual motion, these
deceptively heavy-duty curtains are for you.
Beautiful enough to garner compliments, which Ishamelessly loved, the linen-looking Peace &

(15:29):
Quiet Noise Reducing Blackout Curtains fromPottery Barn are made in a Fair Trade Certified
factory and give you three different headingsto choose from: rod pocket, back tabs, and the
option to clip rings on top.

Best for Bedroom (15:43):
Quince Raw Silk Blackout Curtain.
If one of your fears is dragging down the feelof a room with heavy blackout curtains, you are
not alone.
You are also in luck because Quince has asolution in the form of the Raw Silk Blackout
Curtain.
This brand continues to be an editor- andreader-favorite at Apartment Therapy for bed

(16:04):
blankets, bath towels, pillows, and evenluggage.
Now, blackout curtains can be added to thebunch.
The Raw Silk Blackout Curtain is our pick forbedrooms and nurseries for multiple reasons
including but not limited to appearance,effectiveness, and room darkening options.

Best Blackout Curtain Liner (16:21):
Pottery Barn Universal Blackout Curtain Liner.
Upgrading regular decorative curtains intoblackout versions of themselves is as simple as
pairing them with a compatible liner.
Fortunately, Pottery Barn makes it super easyto find one.
The Universal Blackout Curtain Liner, soldindividually, can be used with ring, grommet,

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tab top, and fabric loops on a single rod.
If you are using a double rod, the liner canonly accommodate pole top curtains.
The liners come with nine curtain hooks, andyes, they are conveniently machine-washable.
Alright, design enthusiasts, let us dive into atransformation that is sure to inspire you.

(17:11):
We are talking about a $1,500 redo that rescueda very 1979 bathroom with a rotting vanity.
This is a classic 'before and after' thatshowcases the power of a well-thought-out
budget and a little bit of elbow grease.
Homeowners Kandra and Mark Sobel were facedwith a bathroom straight out of 1979.

(17:36):
Imagine dark beige walls, old brown and greentiles, and a clunky vanity that had not been
replaced in the home’s 44-year lifespan.
To top it all off, the vanity came completewith a pink countertop and rotten wood.
Yes, you heard that right — rotten wood!

(17:57):
Despite the dated and deteriorating features,Kandra and Mark saw the potential in their
space.
The first step in their $1,500 redo was toremove the rotten vanity.
Mark then built a floating vanity out of birchplywood.
He started with a framework mounted to the walland added a vessel sink on top.

(18:20):
This change alone began to shift the bathroomfrom drab to fab.
Next, they added wood trim to the walls andinstalled white subway tile underneath.
Kandra shares that this addition made thebiggest difference, adding so much character to
the space.
The installation was labor-intensive,especially since it was their first time tiling

(18:44):
over existing tile.
They learned that smaller tiles closer to theoriginal size would have made the process
easier, but even so, the end result was worthall the work and mess.
The white subway tile brightened up the room,and its classic silhouette is on-trend for 2023
while promising not to become dated any timesoon.

(19:07):
Plus, it is budget-friendly, which is always awin in my book.
After setting the tile and vanity, the Sobelsadded new paint in Sherwin-Williams’ Expressive
Plum and curated wall decor.
Kandra used all thrifted art and prints,creating an eclectic feel that is a pleasant

(19:29):
surprise when entering the space from a moreneutral room.
The round gold mirror was also a thrift find,and the new vanity lighting was a $150 steal
from Amazon.
Kandra’s biggest piece of home decor advice isthat you do not have to spend a fortune to make
an impact.
Their subway tiles were a bargain, and the newvanity proves you do not have to spend

(19:54):
thousands on a low-quality vanity cabinet froma big-box store.
Her favorite part of the redo was designing itall and seeing it come together.
So, if you are looking for budget-friendlybathroom inspiration, especially for a dated
space, take a leaf out of Kandra and Mark’sbook.
This $1,500 redo shows that with creativity,thriftiness, and a bit of hard work, you can

(20:21):
transform even the most outdated spaces intosomething beautiful and modern.
That is all for today’s episode of DailyInterior Design Inspo.
I hope you found these tips and transformationsas inspiring as I did.
Do not forget to tune in tomorrow for moredesign ideas and budget-friendly solutions.

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Until then, happy decorating!